Drive Time
5h 58m
Distance
292.5 mi
471 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$45
one way
Photo: 大 董
If you are planning a trip from Oxford to Tupelo, prepare for a 292.5-mile journey that takes approximately 5 hours and 58 minutes behind the wheel. While the two cities are relatively close, this specific route takes a longer path, making it a highway-focused drive that is best suited for a single day of travel. You should budget about $45 for fuel to cover the distance. Since the entire trip takes place within Mississippi, you will remain in the Southeast region for the duration of the drive. It is a straightforward excursion that works well as a day trip, allowing you to reach your destination without needing an overnight stay.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
146.2 miles from Oxford, MS
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 6m into the drive .
Expect a drive defined by high-speed transit, with 83% of your journey spent on highways. You will primarily navigate via MS Hwy 25, I-55, and MS 25, which offer a consistent, efficient pace across the landscape. The longest uninterrupted stretch you will encounter is a 79.6-mile segment on MS Hwy 25, requiring steady focus as you traverse the miles. The character of the road is functional and direct, favoring highway efficiency over technical local maneuvering. Whether you are cruising on the interstate or shifting onto state highways, the route maintains a predictable rhythm throughout the nearly six-hour duration.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on MS Hwy 25 and I 55. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 97.1 miles in near I 55.
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 18 significant decision points across 292.5 miles, you will need to stay alert — especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 97.1 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 218.4 miles (MS 25): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 224.6 miles (MS 25): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Keep slight left at fork onto I 55 toward Grenada, Memphis
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight right at fork onto MS 25
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Keep slight right at fork onto MS 25 toward US 82 East, MS 25 North: Columbus, West Point
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Take the exit toward US 45 Alternate North, MS 25 North: West Point, Tupelo
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Merge onto US 45 ALT; MS 25 / US Highway 45 Alternate
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Between Oxford, MS and Tupelo, MS, road signs point toward Grenada, Memphis and Point.
Grenada
Memphis
Point
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| MS Hwy 25 | 79.6 mi | 1h 30m |
| I 55 | 59.5 mi | 1h 4m |
| MS 25 | 43.5 mi | 50m |
| US Highway 45 Alternate | 34.6 mi | 42m |
| US 84 | 22.9 mi | 26m |
| Martin Luther King Drive | 18.1 mi | 20m |
| Lakeland Drive | 12.3 mi | 14m |
| Gloster Road | 6.5 mi | 15m |
Step-by-step road directions between Oxford, MS and Tupelo, MS.
Start on Oxford-Meadville Road
Continue on Gloster Road
At end of road, turn left onto Gloster Road
Continue on Yap 3 Road
Turn left onto US 98
Turn right onto MS 184
Turn right onto US 84
Take the exit
Merge onto I 55
Keep slight right at fork onto I 55
Keep slight left at fork onto I 55
Take the exit
Turn right onto MS 25
Continue on MS 25
Take the exit onto MS 25
Keep slight right at fork onto MS 25
Continue on MS 25
Keep slight right at fork onto MS 25
Take the exit
Merge onto US 45 ALT; MS 25
Continue on US 45 ALT
Continue on US 45; MS 6
Take the exit onto MS 6
Keep slight left at fork
Turn left onto MS 6
Turn right onto North Spring Street
Arrive at destination
To make the most of this 292.5-mile drive, aim for an early departure to avoid potential traffic fluctuations on the main highways. Plan for at least one dedicated stop to stretch your legs and refuel, keeping in mind your $45 fuel estimate. Because this is a highway-heavy route, stay alert during the long 79.6-mile stretch on MS Hwy 25 where the scenery may be repetitive. Since the entire trip is designed as a one-day excursion, you have the flexibility to adjust your pace based on your personal comfort. Keep your tank topped off before leaving Oxford to ensure a smooth transition onto the interstate sections.
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 80 miles or 1h 49m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 146.2 miles or 3h 6m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 53m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Tupelo, MS than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Oxford, MS so your first major turns are already loaded.
Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.
Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Oxford, MS
This is one driving day of about 292.5 miles and 5h 58m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 146.2 mi from Oxford, MS · 3h 6m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
146 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 146.2 miles from Oxford, MS, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before MS Hwy 25 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 79.6 miles.
The final approach into Tupelo, MS usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around Tupelo, MS.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$44.72 one way
$89.43 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.26 | $49.05 | $98.09 |
| premium | $4.61 | $53.09 | $106.18 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $64.98 | $129.97 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$45
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$70–$95
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 102.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $31 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 87.8 | 1 | $30.71 | $14.04 |
| Efficient EV | 73.1 | 0 | $25.59 | $11.70 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 117 | 1 | $40.95 | $18.72 |
Gas CO2
102 kg
EV CO2
34 kg (67% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive. If you're planning ahead, check the forecast closer to your travel date.
Origin
Late night in Oxford on Sunday
Local time
2:29 AM
CDT
Current temp
64°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Destination
Late night in Tupelo on Sunday
Local time
2:29 AM
CDT
Current temp
63°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Along the Route
85°F
Magee, MS
146 mi in
Seasonal Notes
Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.
Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.
Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.
Time zone
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
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